Vietnam’s T-54M Battle Tank Modernization Program

08 November 2019

T-54M of the Vietnamese Army (photos : VTV1, QPVN)

The program was essentially divided into a three phases:

Phase 1: Israel Military Industries (IMI) modernizes a single Vietnamese tank

Phase 2: Factory Z153 modernizes three tanks under the supervision of IMI

Phase 3: Factory Z153 begins independently modernizing tanks on their own using components imported from IMI. The finalized amount of modernized tanks along with field acceptance tests marks the end of this phase.

There were some minor setbacks regarding the production amount of tanks, but it isn’t a huge problem. The modernization program works to enhance firepower, improve maneuverability, protection, and communication systems on the T-54B. As detailed below:

- The T-54’s D-10T 100mm cannon was fitted with heat insulating casing, minimizing stress to the barrel of the cannon when firing, and increasing the accuracy and precision up to 1.7-2.2 times.

- New ammunition types were introduced, the amount of ammunition in the tank was increased by 4 rounds, a fire control system w/ a viewfinder utilizing day & night non-cooling thermal imagery was installed along with laser and built-in rangefinders. Sensors were also installed.

- A digital ballistic computer combined with an in-vehicle stabilization system and new fire control system improves firing accuracy and can use multipurpose explosive and kinetic rounds. The firing range is also increased, bettering the tank’s ability to eliminate hostile targets.

- Modifications were made to adjust the engine power, a hydraulic control system for steering, brake, and clutch mechanism was installed, a new dim light amplifier was added

- The Russian RF2050 MultiBand Mobile Transceiver was replaced with a system capable of anti electronic warfare measures such as frequency hopping, digital encryption, & electronic protection. This new system improves the communication security of transmissions, increases the range of communications, and utilizes an MDIS (mobile data intermediate system).

(VietDefense)